[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6238558,"mediaKeyId","3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7","parentId",3350898,"title","Board approves Turner Primary principal, several staff hires and adopts visual and performing arts curriculum","audioSeconds",330,"startMs",6840000,"endMs",7170000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7&start=6840&end=7170","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7/thumbnail_6840000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238558/Maine/Board-approves-Turner-Primary-principal-several-staff-hires-and-adopts-visual-and-performing-arts-curriculum","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238558-8be53ff31b431e3263049bf6d9c02077/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037897&Signature=Eo-XXfpYOx-JlIa~blCzcduNButhabb7uLHvF2FZ52HutPvx9hi20o4fef30MafEN1I4kQSTeEdOeuHnfMK9ecZ~o1FfjlRPfhT8afzGm59uVmx2GrazCHeFY7L3ZOZgjCPkO4y9mhRChrX~pVL3p-DY3i6Wqc0gWcBcRNAfm6W4JNuk301F46cfw4dg7FOCkvMaZlY2CNxgco6fIPyLEtqyL4f5FuWbG-uvKvX7INN9ck2F5DLwING7wYrqhUOqTzsGgPIE4KdO2YHL5aBJGSKnxBtGRTzC3ddg2YH0B4NnV1IpReUzrkGFb9HpkISaMRBvC-Tw5LanWq-WeKLZbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 52/MSAD 52","date","2025-05-17T00:27:01.16Z","article","The MSAD 52 board approved a slate of personnel items and accepted a curriculum committee recommendation to adopt a new visual and performing arts curriculum.

Superintendent Carrie introduced Elaine Gammon as the recommended principal for Turner Primary School. \"We are very, very excited that Elaine is gonna be taking over for Kim,\" the superintendent said, noting a large interview committee and staff support. The board voted to hire Gammon following a motion and second.

The consent agenda, approved collectively, included instructional nominations: a Tripp Middle School instructional coach appointment (Megan Fenton), a Tripp Middle School special-education resource teacher (Megan Smith), a Turner Elementary School nurse (Gina Crosby), and the permanent appointment of a teacher at Turner Primary (Angela Gallant). The agenda also included acceptance of resignations and retirements reported earlier in the meeting.

Separately, the curriculum committee's recommendation to adopt the district'wide visual and performing arts curriculum was brought forward and approved. One board member recused from that vote because of prior work producing curricular materials.

Why it matters: Leadership and staffing changes affect classroom continuity and program delivery; adopting a unified visual and performing arts curriculum changes instruction districtwide and was recommended by the curriculum committee after review.

What comes next: New hires will be onboarded for the coming school year and the district will begin implementing the adopted visual and performing arts curriculum in schools across the district. The superintendent and principals will report implementation details during fall committee meetings.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MSAD 52 Board of Directors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting the MSAD 52 board approved the appointment of Elaine Gammon as Turner Primary School principal, accepted multiple staffing nominations in the consent agenda, and approved the curriculum committee's recommendation to adopt a new visual and performing arts curriculum.","taxTitle","RSU 52/MSAD 52, School Districts, Maine","taxId",58422,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6238563,"MSAD 52 committee weighs vehicle swap and limits youth field use after heavy spring wear",1438,2394000,3832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7&start=2394&end=3832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7/thumbnail_2394000.jpg","/articles/6238563/Maine/MSAD-52-committee-weighs-vehicle-swap-and-limits-youth-field-use-after-heavy-spring-wear","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238563-e4951808e09c60f2396dbb7bee20ba48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037897&Signature=T35pjFAVt03c955o1LalTErSnqr3wXYF5c~pxfhoZJKEmvhx2bCe8-kA-I4-ozAcjEgSvRyabntM4UzuqcTBMm~nGH-pfcsFbfBFmV4TiU8DYy-yMA309Ds1CN~po1a5qihZR94MtyuLUvOHFtPsWchPQKMHJ0TbL3bmcbsaoTtCC9~P8D4b~UcnFOT5MAxwhYtMXsvjCTs8cEhWOvCFUXGa-yz6rKXi4ZtMYYin1x7YAiZoLI~dlG3Bakiu64wxNmA3fsxtAi8N1rbLgW1~J~SFfSLnJ0ew87FkN9i7C4azJjj9Y9m9Al7gkyQWWqsbtcIcokQeGW1jIAFZUVdLSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The MSAD 52 transportation and facilities committee reported plans to adjust its vehicle replacement request and described restrictions on youth use of school athletic fields after heavy spring wear.

PTV committee members told the board they are seeking updated pricing to change an earlier proposal from three vans and two buses to a purchase plan that would instead seek one bus and six vans because multiple district vans are high-mileage and some are out of service. Kyle Carrington, who reported for the committee, said the change is intended to maintain service while responding to the limited availability and condition of existing vehicles.

Committee members also told the board that wet spring weather and increased field use have damaged playing surfaces. Superintendent Carrie said she and facilities staff temporarily removed youth programs from a Turner Primary field for about two weeks and decided not to allow youth programs to reserve the fields for the remainder of the school year to avoid further damage.

On a separate facilities item, a member of district staff reported the Leeds water issue is resolved: \"We were cleared as of Monday,\" said Shan (first name in transcript), referring to water testing results and saying the district was awaiting the formal written report but had been cleared to resume drinking water use.

Why it matters: The vehicle plan affects transportation availability for students, extracurriculars and community programs. The field restrictions affect youth leagues and local organizations that use district facilities; the superintendent said the decision prevents irreparable turf damage and preserves fields for school use.

What comes next: The transportation committee will refine pricing and bring recommended purchases to finance committee for budgeting; facilities staff will schedule field repairs and monitor turf condition. The superintendent and committee said they will pursue state approvals and engineering bids for planned field and wastewater projects where required.

","The district's PTV/transportation committee discussed switching a proposed purchase plan (three vans, two buses) to one bus and six vans, cited aging fleet and high mileage, and the superintendent banned youth programs from some fields for the remainder of the year because heavy spring use and rain damaged turf.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6238568,"MSAD 52 selected for five-year Inclusive Education Model School grant",112,2924000,3036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7&start=2924&end=3036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7/thumbnail_2924000.jpg","/articles/6238568/Maine/MSAD-52-selected-for-five-year-Inclusive-Education-Model-School-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238568-a68d80829092e30e58a4042c7441f2a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037897&Signature=YAUEPNdvFzOn9y2zcO~kMlUBZNusQKKoHMzsilP4XGadG3GNMTFiyELm2hfrxnCpu0RtqntaFX~GRiTLcINaOo38QNIhg7Vo3nbrAiiN-6FzwwR7nxVJM12sXOv7Ub7sG3WxDoHXU6EokE7UoUymLcP7CIPOUXaomuWFLvoUDktl1UHnIHqy~Pjb7QYonLlL6ZtPGOQhw8O0TuDZmS3~JaT-K2narjDUVQ1s0X~f7-6ScEoVxchOOEABb3cf-unbmWaFL7aS6r~ZrMMtYXo1RBman4fj78COuD7bfNzsvfgUDQcCWYGu5aVURowww32sFu9~bPuEQiBioJrj4U5e5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MSAD 52 announced that two schools in the district were selected for a five-year Maine Inclusive Education Model School Project run through the University of Maine system.

Shannon (first name only in the transcript), speaking during administrative reports, told the board, \"we found out today that we were accepted. So we are going to be part of a 5 year grant that, of funded supported implementation for the multi tiered systems of support.\" She said Leeds and Turner Elementary School are the two MSAD 52 schools chosen among five recipients statewide.

Rebecca Drysdale, the district director of special education, and other district staff said the grant will fund training, scheduling support, and possible funding for an inclusion facilitator at one or more schools. The program will also position selected buildings as model schools where educators from other districts can observe inclusion practices and participate in research with University of Maine researchers.

District leaders said the work will include scheduling changes, service-delivery analysis for students with individualized education programs (IEPs), additional teacher training and an opportunity to participate in inclusion-focused research that could generate publications and broader professional development.

Why it matters: The grant provides multi-year technical and financial support to expand inclusive practices and special-education service delivery. District leaders said participation may also increase professional development opportunities for staff and raise the profile of the district's inclusion work in state-level educational research.

What comes next: District staff will coordinate with the university partners on implementation, begin scheduling adjustments and consider whether to seek a district-funded inclusion facilitator or to use grant funds to hire such a position. The grant work will be monitored by district special education leadership and shared in future board reports.

","Two schools in the district were among five statewide chosen for a University of Maine-supported five-year grant to implement and study inclusive multi-tiered systems of support for students with individualized education programs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6238573,"MSAD 52 auditors give unmodified opinion; district posts $1.9 million FY24 surplus",942,1233000,2175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7&start=1233&end=2175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7/thumbnail_1233000.jpg","/articles/6238573/Maine/MSAD-52-auditors-give-unmodified-opinion-district-posts-19-million-FY24-surplus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238573-7fb4a02b6f03855d7d6547df1cd17de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037897&Signature=g9xOHZf9CS5fMZ0MKHvQExkaH8d8V1~atWuPw-Yoe9E7eVwoD4pcviz8wf5FjWlPOLQPSkadhAKouiilZbfGfb8mU8iyJqtuPhZlvBz9wSHJE1mKY1Rt2YYXbf5QH~PD-HlbHBz4zfQ7o2JBP4SFE~8ljrsBNCN5M5xg04goY5BuQAEnR72Df3doWdL8XBguW9USDftEbUmknQKLQoBolteHBuUibJSEN~e6eFG3CYooWKtchtJVUos--n62M3h2L8NdydRuFDQK4aAuxqwZFvHxY5IxDOTORFXjH3z4IG~A7icNhAH7nkhiz9hG5gHp4lnP5eGnMKJgA0bdxN0BDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RHR Smith and Company told the MSAD 52 board that the district's fiscal year 2024 financial statements received an unmodified opinion and that the district ended the year with roughly $1.9 million in combined surplus from revenue and expenditure savings.

Sam Oganoff of RHR Smith, one of the auditors who presented the report, said the firm issued \"the highest opinion that we offered or issue, which is an unmodified opinion.\" The auditors delivered standard letters accompanying the audit, including a SAS 114 communication that flagged no major disagreements with management and a separate management letter with procedural recommendations.

The audit presentation to the board summarized key figures: total assets of about $34.8 million for FY24, capital assets near $23 million (about 66% of total assets), and net position of roughly $21.2 million. The auditors reported that combined revenue for the district was about $42.6 million and that expenditures were about $42.4 million, yielding positive results largely attributable to program on-behalf payments and savings in staffing costs.

On fund balances, the auditors noted the general fund's unassigned balance represented about 17% of annual expenditures (about two months of expenditures) with a total general fund balance of approximately $7.7 million. The nutrition (school lunch) fund drew down slightly as planned to meet state requirements, and ESSER (federal pandemic) funds remained as a separate major fund.

Oganoff highlighted audit recommendations in a management letter: stronger cash-receiving procedures, improved documentation of cash disbursements, and more consistent general ledger reconciliations. He and the district finance staff said turnover contributed to some of the documentation shortfalls but that responses and corrective plans were in place.

Board members asked whether a $1.9 million surplus was typical. Oganoff said he had seen similar surpluses in FY24 in other Maine and Vermont districts, in part because some federal funding streams are tapering off and districts are holding more reserves to smooth upcoming budgets. He also and district staff told the board that unfilled positions, particularly in transportation and special education staffing, contributed to expenditure savings.

The presentation was informational; there was no board vote attached to the audit report itself. The auditor invited board questions and said management had responded in writing to each recommendation in the management letter.

Why it matters: The unmodified opinion affirms the independent auditor's view that the district's financial statements fairly present district finances for FY24. The reported fund balance provides short-term flexibility for the district as federal COVID-era funds phase out; however, the management letter flagged procedural items the district should address to reduce risk in cash handling and accounting documentation.

What comes next: District finance staff will continue to implement corrective plans described in responses to the management letter. The board and finance committee will review follow-up on recommendations as part of normal oversight and upcoming budget workshops ahead of the FY25 budget referendum.

","RHR Smith and Company presented the FY24 audit to the MSAD 52 board, reporting an unmodified opinion, $1.9 million net positive budget variance, a $7.7 million general fund balance and recommendations on cash handling and general ledger reconciliations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6238578,"MSAD 52 board votes to post student-facing staff guidelines on district website",2374,4433000,6807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7&start=4433&end=6807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350898-99b154c03cc5a19333b348f6f95904b7/thumbnail_4433000.jpg","/articles/6238578/Maine/MSAD-52-board-votes-to-post-student-facing-staff-guidelines-on-district-website","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238578-cd613371232aea1526be786c99cfdb0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037897&Signature=ebve~vRPyYRhtUB2ntl1zNvUJVT2xfcQBKlgeRM~IJrW2I3H8~DU~5nHmmqgsOmw~C-sk3CTuolmFgXyEzfoTRAwQsAYOJKBIJR4JIomuPTUBTCOKJ8iARnSq6RZiNKNyUu313gVKQ8EL3YVfDCKtoiYlJ~0cgBSbTn9iy-UVGpFqjLuG3zByz8GvSeXB2-0q3npB-M4fIboupCaSEXRZ4zhlp7CSoRVE2KfaFyYlzmJxzq8jEpMl4AQBQzOmkSHvv8VjFAu5pePB4a6CX3d6tglmWbl75hxRmkYlgZlEyAQp8s7xSgOqMoGhLilYP~JcvwnNVWVFAkoU5tGTCFVlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The MSAD 52 board of directors on Thursday approved a motion directing the superintendent to make staff and faculty guidelines that pertain to students and parents available in the district's student and family handbook on the district website.

Supporters said the move is intended to increase transparency after the discovery and circulation of a document described in public comment as a district'level transgender guidance. The board discussion included multiple public speakers who urged broader access to materials they said should be available to parents.

Board member Anthony Shostak, who made the original motion, said the change would prevent repeated public-record requests and reduce the appearance that significant guidance is being kept from families. \"I don't think it, I don't think it hurts anything to say this is what we're guiding the teachers to do with regard to whatever particular topic,\" Shostak said during debate.

In public comment before the vote, resident Diane Rimes praised Shostak and urged transparency: \"Transparency equals trust,\" she told the board. Crystal Nicholas, another resident who addressed the board, described parents' difficulty locating a transgender-guidance document and asked how parents were supposed to find materials described as hidden: \"I want to thank the board for taking up the issue of newly discovered MSAD 52 transgender guidelines and making that available to the public,\" Nicholas said.

Superintendent Carrie (first name only in the public record) told the board she would place documents that relate to students in the student/family handbook and link them on the website, and that she would consult principals about which materials fit that definition. She noted the district already posts a parent handbook online and said the handbook would be a logical place for the student-facing guidance.

The board first removed the motion from the table, then approved an amendment limiting required postings to guidelines that \"pertain to students\" and directing that those documents be included in the student handbook on the website. The board later amended that language to specify \"students and parents.\" The final motion as amended was approved at the meeting.

The record shows the action was a board directive to the superintendent: the vote resulted in approval of the motion as amended. The transcript does not record a detailed roll-call tally in a format that could be transcribed conclusively here; the minutes should be consulted for the official vote count and wording of the final motion.

Why it matters: Board members and several public commenters said putting student-facing guidelines on the website would reduce surprises for families and ease public access; opponents and some board members raised concerns about scope and how to avoid publishing confidential or operational staff-only materials. The superintendent told the board she would prioritize student-facing documents and consult principals to avoid posting confidential staff information.

What comes next: The superintendent will post documents deemed student-facing in the student/family handbook area of the district website and consult principals about items that might require additional review. The board did not adopt new policy language; it issued a direction to the superintendent to publish existing student-related guidance online.

","After weeks of public concern about a newly reported transgender guidance document, the MSAD 52 board voted to require the superintendent to publish staff and faculty guidelines that pertain to students (and parents) in the district's student/family handbook on the district website.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Turner Primary principal, several staff hires and adopts visual and performing arts curriculum

MSAD 52 committee weighs vehicle swap and limits youth field use after heavy spring wear

MSAD 52 selected for five-year Inclusive Education Model School grant

MSAD 52 auditors give unmodified opinion; district posts $1.9 million FY24 surplus

MSAD 52 board votes to post student-facing staff guidelines on district website